Referee spray costs Newcastle Jets coach Ernie Merrick a $3000 fine

Football Federation Australia has fined Ernie Merrick $3000 for criticising match officials – despite admitting one of the penalty decisions that prompted the Jets coach’s post-match outburst was wrong.

FINED: Ernie Merrick

Merrick labelled the performances of the referee and Video Assistant Referee in Newcastle’s recent 2-all draw with Western Sydney as “disgraceful”.

FFA ruled on Friday that he had breached three clauses of the code of conduct.

“In determining the sanction, FFA took into account that Merrick took responsibility for his comments, acknowledged that his comments were not constructive and reaffirmed with FFA that he understands his responsibilities as a head coach,” FFA said in a statement.

The Jets were given seven business days to appeal, but they are not expected to do so.

The FFA’s match-review panel admitted last week that the VAR had erred in penalising Jets defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley for what was an accidental hand-ball.